Automatic dispensing bin



Feb. 16, 1960 c. E. FAULKNER AUTOMATIC DISPENSING BIN 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Feb. 13, 1956 Feb. 16, 1960 C, E, FAULKNER 2,925,195

lAu'rom/Larc: DISPENSING BIN Filed Feb. 13, 1956 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Feb, E6, 1960 c. E. FAULKNER AUTOMATIC msPENsxNG BIN 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Feb. 13, 1956 Feb. 16, 1960 c. E. FAULKNER AUTOMATIC DISPENSING BIN 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Feb. 13, 1956 vhundred individual bins.

2,925,195 AUTOMATIC DrsPENsnsG BIN Charles E. Faulkner, Chicago, lll., assignor to Spiegel,

Inc., a corporation of Delaware `Application February 13, 1956, Serial No. 564,979V

7 Claims. tcl. :2l- 92) This invention relates `to `automatic dispensing bin s Patent O structure for facilitating lling orders for miscellaneous -boxed merchandise from a `stoel: room.

. The apparatus of the present invention is particularly designed for large mercantile establishments, such as mail order houses, that keep an open stockof many different items. orders for many different items. To fill these orders it is necessary for employees to walk considerable distances, make many stops, and often climb several feet or stoop to pick the individual items from the storage bins. It is often necessary for order pickers to cover the same ground several times in iilling a single order. This method of lling orders is relatively expensive because of the waste of manpower.

Another disadvantage inherent in the present method of iilling orders is the fact that the height to which the storagebins may be built is limited, because it is recognized that excessive climbing impairs even the moderate efliciency possible where most of the storage bins are within reach of an order` picker standing on the floor. The desirability of limiting the heightof the storage bins necessitates a greater amount of oor space and also increases the walking distances for the order pickers.

In accordance with the `present invention merchandise is removed fromthe individual bins automatically by remote control and brought to the operator by a conveyor, thereby eliminating all the walking, climbing, and stooping on the part of the order picker.

While the present invention will be described in connection with a single unit comprising a small number of storage bins, it will be understood that the units may have any desired number of individual bins, within reason, and that several units may be used in one stockroom, if desired. Ordinarily each unit comprises at least one Conceivably, using an alphabetic control, a unit could consist of 676 individual bins, arranged in 26 rows of 26 bins each.

The dispensing bin structure illustrated in the drawings Vhas six horizontal rows of individual bins with ive bins relationship, each having six bins aligned vertically with Mail order houses customarily receive corresponding bins of the other rows to form vertical rows; Each vertical row of bins has a vertical control rod adjacent lone side thereof. Six horizontal package `restraining levers project laterally from each vertical control rod. The restraining Alevers of `each vertical con- Vtrol`rod are aligned and are spaced vertically, with one lever aligned vertically with each of the bins in the vertical row adjacent which the vertical control rod is positio'ned. In theinormal position of the vertical control rods, each 'of package restraininglevers extends-laterally in front of the foremost package or box of merchandise is its particular bin. The vertical control` rods are selectively rotatableby means of individual solenoids operable 2,925,195 Patented Feb. 16, 1960 rod extending horizontally across the front of each of the bins in its particular row. The horizontal control rods are also rotatable to an inoperative or open position by means of individual solenoids controlled by switches preferably mounted on the same control panel as the switches for the vertical control rods.

Control of actuation is not to be limited to manual manipulation of switches. Such switches could also be manipulated by insertion of tabulating cards, perforated paper tape or other equally eiiicient means of conversion of data to action initiation signals.

Since the front of each individual binfis normally obstructed by two separate members, themerchandise from any individual bin is dispensed by operating the switches controlling` its vertical -and horizontal `control rods at the `same time. For example, if the operator wants a package or box of merchandise stored in the right hand bin inthe top row of bins, he presses the switch rotating the vertical control, rod adjacent lthe right hand row of bins and, while holding that vertical control rod in its open or unobstructed position, presses the switch controlling the, top horizontal control rod. The merchandise in the selected binis then freeto fall by gravity on to asuitable conveyor while the rest of the `bins in the top row are obstructed by the restraining levers projecting laterally from the other vertical control rods, and the rest of the bins, in the right hand vertical `row are each obstructed by their horizontal control rods.

The structure by which the above mentioned and other advantages of the invention are attained will be described in the following specication,talten in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, showing a preferred illustrative embodiment of the inventiom in which: y l

Figure l is a side elevational view of a dispensing bin structure embodying the invention; l i

Fig. 2 is a front elevational view of the deviceshown in Fig. 1, but with the boxes of merchandise omitted for the sake of clarity; i

Fig. 3. is a fragmentary front elevational view on an enlarged scale, showing themeans for operating the vertical and horizontal control rods; 1

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary front elevational `View' showing the upper box being dispensed;

Fig. 5 is a side elevational view of the structure shown in Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary top plan View showing the means for rotating one of the vertical control rods;

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary cross sectional view, taken yalong the line 7-7 of Fig. 3; and

Fig. 8 is a diagrammatic view of the wiring circuit for controlling the various solenoids.

In the drawings, the reference numeral 2 indicates ,a base member having vertical standards 3 and 4 extending upwardly from opposite ends of its front edge. Intermediate vertical standards 5 also extending upwardly from the front edge of basel divide the space between standards 3 and 4 into smaller spaces each `delning the width of a vertical 'row of storage bins. The upper ends of standards 3, 4` and 5 are tied `together by a horizontal frame member 6. Althoughthe various spaces between the1 vertical` standards are shown as being equal,` the widths of the spaces may vary, and, if desired, theinter- 'mediate standards may be adjustable laterally` so that `arealso -tied tothe front standards by horizontal mem- .straining position.

bers 1,0 and to the rear standards 7 by horizontal frame members 11 to forml aV relatively rigidV frame work.

Angle irons 12 are arranged in parallel inclined relationship -with each Asecpred ,to a rear standard 7, an in- ,remediate Standard ,8, and te one of the freut Standards 3, '4 pr 5,. A series of verticallyV aligned angle irons-12 is secured on each side of the intermediate standards 5,and yone seriesqof angle irons is secured to the inner sides of each standard `3 and 4. Corresponding `angle irons of each series of yangle irons lie ina common inclined plane, and each pair of angle irons serve as the base of an individual bin. Each pair .of angle irons is adapted to receive packages or boxes v13 of merchandise arranged in a single layer with theV front packagehofrbox r'adjacent the front standards, allg Aotherpaellrages'on lboxes Ylined ipb'ehind i-t theSaPie Plane- "fo, sake vf e911 highs@ the agregarse@ will 'be l1' after referred b" 'boxed but it will be nn; rstood thatthe dispensing :binvi's also adapted to han le packages of merchandise kvvi'napp'ed in substantially r ular'fo'rm `even Ythough no boxis provided. Steps are preferably provided adjacentfth'e backside of the iframe to facilitate various bins -withV lmerchandise. A conventional conveyor n15/is provided at the front of the frame'to'receive the merchandise as it is dispensed from thevarious bins and car-ry it .to a wrapping or mailing table (not shown).

A vertical control rod 16 positioned adjacent standard 4 and each of the standards 5. VThese vertical controlrods are each duplicateaand therefore, only one will be described. Vertical control rod'16 is rotatably secured adjacent the front surface of standard 4 or 5 vby means of a plurality of brackets 17. A collar 1.8 rigidly secured to the upper end of rod 16 is rigidly secured to one end of a link 19. Link 19 is pivotally connected at its opposite end to a link -20 which, in turn, is pivotally connected at its other end toan armature -21 reciprocable in a solenoid '22. A vspring 23 mounted in solenoid 22 rearwardly of armature 21 urges the armature outwardly.

A plurality of horizontal restraining levers 24 project `laterally from vertical control rod 16 in vertically spaced relationship, with one lever aligned vertically with each of the bins adjacent the vertical control rod. In the normal position of armature 21 each vof the restraining levers extends horizontally 'in front of its particular bin. Armature 21 is controlled lby a circuit containing a switch 25. When switch 25 is closed to energize the circuit in which it is wired, varmature 21 moves inwardly of'solenoid 22, against the action of spring 23, and the linkage`20, V19 rotates control krod 1.6to move restraining'lever 24 to the dotted line position of Fig. 6in which the `front Lof the `bin `is open. Switch 25 is preferably ofthe push button type that will remainclosed vas long as it is held down, and ,will break the circuit as soon as it is released. When switch 25 is released, spring 23 moves armature outwardly of solenoid 22, :causing linkage 20, 19 to -ret'urnrestraining lever 24 to its normal obstructing position 1n front of its bin. It will be obvious that each `.time vertical control rod 16 is rotated, each of the horizontal restraining levers 24 projecting from the ,control rod will move simultaneously to .open or Vto package re- Even though all of the restraining levers adjacent one vertical row vof bins are 4open at the :same time n one ofthe boxes will Amove out v,of itsfbin because each .of the bins is obstructed .by its `,horizontal -cont'rol rod 26.-

vA `horizontal icontrol rodl 26 isprovided for each'horizontalarowgofv bins. :Each rod 26 is a duplicate, and,

therefore, only one will be described. Rod 26is posi- .tionezdiadjacent thev bottom of the horizontal row lof bins `and:isjourrmlled 1n apertures provided therefor in each of Standards 3, 4 and. .5. Qne 'end of rod 26 extends through standard 41an.d a collar .27 ,is rigidly. Seured thereto. A-lnk '28 'rigid with collar 27 iszpivotally ,com .nected .to one. end of` a link v(29.' The other-,end of link 22 1s ntyotally .connected to, an armature frl9b1 in a solenoid 31. A tension spring 32 has one end secured to a stud 33 projecting from standard 4 and its other end secured to link 28 to normally hold armature 30 in its outermost position relative to solenoid 31. Armature 30 is controlled -by a circuit containing a switch 34, similar to switch 25.

Rod 26 does not project above 'the bottom of the open ing of the bins adjacent which it is positioned, but is provided with a plurality of cams 35 which do project above the bottom of the bins in one position of the rod. Cams 35 are in the form of collars secured rigidly to rod 26 in lateral alignment with each bin of the horizontal row of bins adjacent the rod. In ,the normal position of rod 26 each cam 35 extends upwardly to obstruct the front of the adjacent bin sufficiently to prevent a box 13 from sliding out of the bin. When switch 34 is pressed downwardly to energize the circuit in which it is wired, armature 30 is moved upwardly into solenoid 31 z rgainSttlie action of spring 32,thereb'y rotating horizontal control 'rodw2n6`t'o move ca'ms 35 out of the way of the boxes 13 so'that the front box, if not otherwise restrained, may slide from the bin and fall by gravity on to'conv'eyor V'15. As soon as switch 34 is released, the circuit is'open, andv spring 32 moves link 28 to rotate rod 26 into its normal position in -which cam 35 projects upwardly to engage the front box 13 of each bin in the horizontal row to prevent it from moving out of the bin.

The method of operating the dispensing `bin `very simple. Referring to Fig. 2, suppose that it is desired to obtain one 4box 13 from the uppermost bin in the right hand vertical row. Switch 25 is pressed down to energize the solenoid actuating the ver-tical control rod 16 adjacent standard 4. Solenoid 22 pulls armature 21 inwardly to rotate rod 16 countercloc'kwise. Such rotation of rod 16 moves each of its horizontal restraining levers 24 outwardly from its normal restraining position into open position. Although each bin of the right hand vertical row lofY bins is open insofar as levers 24 are concerned, no box 13 can move from its bin because each box is restrained bythe cam 35 of one of the horizontal control rods 26.^ Y l Switch 25 is held down yto keep levers 24 out of the way'of -the selected row of boxes, and switch 34, adapted to energize the solenoid actuating the horizontal control rod of "the top horizontal row of bins, is pressed `down to energize -its solenoidY 31 and then quickly released. The momentary 'energization of solenoid 31 causes cams 35 of the -uppermosthorizontal control rod 26 to rotate downwardly out ofengagement with boxes 13. In each o'f the four vertical rows `from the left, the ,UPPImQSt v'bins are still obstructed 'by tlie'levers 24 in their ,respective rows. In the right hand vertical row `of bins the uppermost bin is open, because .of the lopen position of it's'lever 24, and box I13 immediately startssliding downwardlyover carn-35 by force of gravity.

As soon as switch 34 is released, uppermost rod 26 is rotated `backto its normal position by spring 32, cam 35 lis moved back to its upper position. Because box 13 has already moved downwardly in its bin, vcam 35 moves'upwardly intoengagement-with the vbottom of the iirst :box 13 rather than with its giront.y The slope of angle irons 12 is great enough so that box 13 continues tofslide over cam 35, even in its uppermost position, and-drops on to conveyor 15. As the next box13 moves downwardly, inthe rear of the dispensed b0X,;its llower front edge isengaged by cam35 vand held thereby against 2,526; als

appears to be the most efficient, itis possible if desired,

to actuate the horizontal control rod first and to hold cams 35 in open position until the vertical control rod is actuated.

While I have described a preferred embodiment of my invention in considerable detail, it will be understood that the description thereof is intended 'to be illustrative, rather than restrictive, as many details may be modified or changed without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Accordingly, I do not desire to be restricted to the exact construction described.

I claim:

1. A dispensing bin structure comprising a plurality of individual `bins aligned horizontally and vertically, a horizontal control rod mounted adjacent each horizontal row of bins, each of said horizontal control rods normally obstructing the front of each bin in the adjacent horizontal row, a vertical control rod mounted adjacent each vertical row of bins, each of said vertical control rods normally obstructing the front of each bin in the adjacent vertical row, and means for selectively operating each of said control-rods to move any one of said vertical control rods from its obstructing position, to move any one of said horizontal control rods from its obstructing position while said one vertical control rod is removed from its obstructing position, and t`o return said one vertical control rod and said one horizontal control rod to said obstructing positions.

2. A dispensing bin structure comprising a plurality of individual bins aligned horizontally and vertically, a

horizontal control rod mounted adjacent each horizontal row of bins, each of said horizontal control rods normally obstructing the front of each bin in the adjacent horizontal row, a vertical control mounted adjacent each vertical row of bins, each of said vertical control rods normally obstructing the front of each bin in the adjacent vertical row, individual solenoids operable to move eachof said control rods out of its obstructing position, means for selectively energizing two of said solenoids to move any one of said vertical control rods out of its obstructing position and any one of said horiyzontal control rods out of its obstructing position while said one vertical control rod is out of its obstructing position, and means for returning each of said control rods to its obstructing position upon deenergization of its solenoid.

3. A dispensing bin structure comprising a plurality of individual bins aligned horizontally and vertically, each of said bins having an open front and being inclined to dispense boxed or packaged merchandise through said front by gravity, a horizontal control rod mounted adjacent each horizontal row of bins, each of said horizontal control rods normally obstructing the front of each bin in the adjacent horizontal row, a vertical control rod mounted adjacent each vertical row of bins, each of said vertical control rods normally obstructing the front of each bin in the adjacent vertical row, and means for selectively operating any one of said vertical control rods to move it from its obstructing position and for selectively operating any one of said horizontal control rods to move it out of its obstructing position while said one vertical control rod is out of its obstructing position, and to return said one vertical control rod and said one horizontal control rod to said obstructing positions.

4. A dispensing bin structure comprising a plurality of individual bins aligned horizontally and vertically,

each of `said bins having' an open `front and being in-v clined to dispense boxed or` packaged merchandise through said front by gravity, a horizontal control rod mounted adjacent each horizontal row of bins, each of said horizontal control rods normally obstructing the -front of each bin in the adjacent horizontal row, a vertical control rod mounted adjacent each vertical row of bins, each of said vertical control rods normally obstructing the front of each bin inthe adjacent vertical row, individual solenoids operable to` move each of said control rods out of its obstructing position, fmeans for selectively energizing'two of said solenoids to move' one of said vertical control rods out of its obstructing position, to hold it out of said obstructing position, and move one of said horizontal control rods out of its obstructing position while said one vertical control rod is held out of its obstructing position, and means for returning each of said control rods to its obstructing position upon deenergization of its solenoid.

5. A dispensing bin structure comprising: a plurality of individual bins aligned horizontally and vertically, each of said bins having an open front and being inclined to dispense boxed or packaged merchandise through said front by gravity, a horizontal control rod rotatably mounted adjacent the bottom of each of said horizontal rows of bins, a plurality of cams mounted on each of said horizontal control rods, each of said cams being laterally aligned with the open front of an individual bin, said cams normally projecting upwardly from said control rods into obstructing position relative to the open front of the adjacent individual bins, means to selectively rotate each of said control rods to move said cams out of said obstructing position, a vertical control rod mounted adjacent each vertical row of individual bins, each of said vertical control rods normally obstructing the open fronts of each individual bin in one vertical row of bins, and means to selectively actuate said vertical control rods to move said vertical control rods out of and back to obstructing position.

6. A dispensing bin structure comprising a plurality of individual bins aligned horizontally and vertically, each of said bins having an open front and being inclined to dispense boxed or packaged merchandise through said front by gravity, a horizontal control rod mounted adjacent each horizontal row of bins, each of said horizontal control rods normally obstructing the front of each bin in the adjacent horizontal row, means to selectively actuate said horizontal control rods to move them out of and back to obstructing position, a vertical control rod rotatably mounted adjacent each`vertical row of bins, a plurality of horizontal restraining levers projecting laterally from each of said vertical control rods, each of said restraining levers normally obstructing the open front of one of said individual bins in the vertical row of bins adjacent one of said vertical control rods, and means for selectively rotating each of said vertical control rods to move said horizontal restraining levers into or out of obstructing position.

7. A dispensing bin structure comprising a plurality of 'individual bins aligned horizontally and vertically, each of said bins having an open front and being inclined to dispense boxed or packaged merchandise through said front by gravity, a horizontal control rod rotatably mounted adjacent the bottom of each of said horizontal rows of binds, a plurality of cams mounted on each of said horizontal control rods, each of said cams being laterally aligned with the open front of an individual bin, said cams normally projecting. upwardly from said control rods into obstructing position relative to the open front of the adjacent individual bins, individual solenoids operable to selectively rotate each of said horizontal control rods to move said cams 'out of said obstructing position, means to move each of said cams back to obstructing position upon deenergization of its solenoid, a vertical control rod rotatably mounted Iadjacent each vertical row of bins, a

7 plurality oflmrimntal. restraining-levers projecting laterally from each Qfsaridvertical Qontrol rods, leach Of Said restraining ,leversynormally obstructing the open from 0f one of said individnalbins in the vertical row of bins adjacent one of said vertical` control rods, individual solenoids operable to selectively vrotate each of said vertical control rods to rnove said restraining levers out of obstructing` position, and means to rotate said vertical control Arods in reverse direction upon deenergization of said second` mentioned solenoids to move said restraining 1 levers back to obstructing position relative to the front of said bips in each vertical row of bins.

References Cited inthe file of this patent UNITED STATES'PATENTS 

